I am very new to cake decorating and have always used the simple sponge recipe for my cakes. The mixture tastes fab and is so moist but I wonder if as it's so light, if it may cause an issue with cakes covered in a fair amount of fondant, ie from the weight of it etc.

What do you think is the best type of cake for carving (without falling apart!) and covering in fondant?

have you tried the WASC? I've used it before and it tastes great and is good for carving. My cake of choice is Sylvia Weinstock's butter cake.

I hadn't even heard of it before you mentioned it! I sounds lovely. Is it a heavy sort of cake like a mud cake or light like a sponge?

i use a victoria ponge, which does pretty well with light carving - anything more serious i go for maderia.
xx

Sorry I meant the WASC cake! Does the sour cream give it a different flavour or just change the texture?

My husband's aunt makes only sponge cakes with the syrup, and she covers it in fondant all the time.

The WASC is a good recipe, so is the Durable cake for 3D carving.

http://cakecentral.com/recipes/1972/durable-cake-for-3d-and-wedding-cakes

sorry for jumping in but I also use the WASC or durable choc for 3D cakes. BUT my question is for 3D cakes DO YOU COVER YOURS WITH ICING FIRST THEN FONDANT OR JUST SYRUP?? EVERYTIME I COVER MINE WITH ICING I DONT GET IT REAL SMOOTH FOR SHAPES, EVEN PURSE SHAPES AND THEN THE FONDANT GOES ON UNEVEN WITH DIMPLES...??ANYONE HELP?

I use the 3D more now and I cover them with ganache, then fondant. You can look at the purse - in my pics -I just did for my daughter, it was smooth.

ok great! i will try that, do you use the poor method and poor the ganache over or spread ?

Shannycakes:
Once the buttercream is on the cake, I put it in the fridge for 20 minutes, take it out and smooth it out with a paper towel. Then I fill whatever holes or corners with more buttercream and try to make the walls as smooth as possible. Again to the fridge, again out and repeat the process. If I have to, I do it again until it's perfect. Then I put the fondant on it. It usually comes out beautiful!

Also, for your information, using all capitals when writing in the world of internet is like shouting to a person in real life. I thought you would like to know!

Good luck!